Human Factors In On Line Information Systems

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

User-centered design processes is a design approach involves users or clients at every stage of its design process to develop a more effective, efficient and safe product for the use of the consumer. This paper discusses the motivation, Background detailed method of how user- centered design has been justified and some examples of applications, its use or results.

Motivation

Human Computer Interaction is currently part of the computer science program at most universities around the world having its core concepts as usability and user-centered design. Despite the success these two core components have created for product makers, there are still usability flaws with projects which involves many stakeholders. Most of the problems could have easily been identified using state of the art methods and techniques in user-centered design.

Background

Recent situation is changing whereby the main concern is to develop usable products to ensure user satisfaction. Several researchers have built website or products by employing user-centered design processes to make sure that it meets user needs. It is an iterative process until the user is satisfied with the product. At first, many products were made to ensure that the technology worked and nobody really cared about the usability but now the main focus is on the end user so that it will attract more users. Users feel frustrated when a product produced for the user is not easy to use hence the introduction of user-centered design processes which is an effort to involve the end- user in all stages of developing of the product.

Detailed Method

User-centered design methods may slightly be different as each of them is established to take care of the individual preferences in the path of designing but the ultimate objective is to provide a framework to design an innovative product that satisfies the needs of the user or consumer and bring maximum profit margin to the company. Each of the papers reviewed had a different methodology of user-centered design process. Wong and Khong (2011) used market research and positioning which focused on the awareness of the market needs, comparing existing designs in the market and finding out the information on user needs and marketing trends through, user analysis and user profiling; which identified the designers target users using characteristics, interests, gender and cultural beliefs of the target group and analysis of the potential users were required through the use of questionnaires, discussions and interviews, concept and Idea

generation; where the design team formulate and relate. Specific interaction sketches were made to conceptualize parts of the body interacting with the concept, evaluation and feedback; where the designers may model a beta version of the product simulations. At this stage, the actual look and feel of the user interface design is considered based on the findings developed and designers gain feedback from users so that they can refine the product.

Also, Zakaria and Ayu (2010) used different methodology for their user-centered design process using the requirements analysis: which puts together client’s requirement elicitation which is a pre-development survey distributed to the client, user’s requirement elicitation which all lead to assess and analyse needs. Design consideration, prototype development, pre-evaluation all come together to form the design/development/testing phase then the installation or production of the product followed by user feedback or evaluation.

Kahraman (2010) methodology for user-centered design was more of a case study approach. This included asking focus group some questions such as factors increasing learnability, factors that increase their success and if they were tutors, how would they increase learnability. The author also used questionnaires and analytical procedures to reveal evaluations of students about courses since his research was not about products making but helping to make the courses he thought in better for the students.

Wu et al (2009) methodology for their user-centered design process was very different from the others since theirs was focused on making an adjustable washer for the physically disabled. They had to first understand and specify the context of use since they were dealing with disability and go to find the specific disability. Then the next step is specifying the user and what is required from the organization by identifying the design requirements and design specifications. They then look at producing the concept design and prototypes through generating concepts, selection of the concept, current concepts and embodiments. Finally, the last step is user-based assessment.

Through this we find out that user-centered design processes are not just used for products and websites only but cuts across a whole range of things which is like service being rendered to other people.

Many examples of user-centered design methodology can be cited. Study did by Verhoeven et al (2002) implement semi-structured interview in order to obtain cognitive and affective information which was relevant to their domain of study. The design team utilises several techniques with a combination of both methods in order to elicit user requirements.

Zakaria and Ayu (2010) used User-centered design process to create a website for their school alumni which is already incorporated in the school’s website which gives information about the alumni’s current news activities to attract more graduates and to show that the school still has a bond with their former students. Since the website was not utilizing user-centered design process, the alumni organization were facing several problems such as several alumni did not

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realize the existence of the website, attractiveness and adequacy of features, contents were factors that were deemed necessary for enhancement. So the authors used this design approach to propose a new website for the organization on a framework that was based on the criteria that actively and iteratively involves user throughout its lifecycle since it caters for both the clients’ as well as the users’ needs from the beginning until the product is developed. Functionality is improved and website usability maximized even though this approach can be tedious, it is better to have difficulties creating rather than have an annoying product which is not appreciated by the user.

Also, Wong and Khong (2010) wrote a paper on applying user-centered design process to non- physical designs which took a look at the processes involved in making a non-physical device for the user by using examples from the Interface Design Programme at the Faculty of Creative Multimedia to train young interface designers. They reviewed all the steps in the user-centered design process.

Figure 1. Results generated from a user testing (courtesy of Interface Design, FCM,MMU).

Wu et al (2009) used the user-centered design approach to model a hair washing device to assist users with shoulder mobility restriction. Here, the users that were being targeted were those that were facing shoulder immobility. So the design approach made it possible for physically disabled individuals to wash their hair using normal postures on an adjustable hair washer.

Finally, Kahraman (2010) reviewed a work that used user-centered design approach into course designing to achieve more effectiveness of teaching and the learnability and success of university students.

Conclusion

This paper intends to appreciate the user-centered design approach in all aspects of production since now we live in a world where the user is of more essence to the company and making sure that users’ needs are met and satisfied. With the help of user-centered design processes, this is met. It does not matter what kind of production the company is in, form the examples given above it can be used in developing, software, websites, devices and even designing courses. Once the product in question is to be produced for the user, user-centered designs could be of very use to the organization. Also it does not benefit just the users but also the organizations included in the production benefit since they maximize profit and see that their products are satisfying their customers.

Further Work

The study of user-centered design process may lead to further researches and these authors could be of very much help to further studies. Kinzie et al (2002) study on designing family health history website has implemented rapid prototyping in their model. Study done by Kiili (2002) on usability of Nokia 7110 mobile phone has focused on learnability, memorability and errors as evaluation parameters. Benbunan-Fich (2001), several e-commerce websites were evaluated for usability by utilizing think aloud protocol.

Parameters that have been evaluated were content, interactivity and navigation.